Some of my angel wings leaves are brown and wilted by stem

8 years ago

I water my begonia once a week with miracle grow. Usually about half strength. Any ideas what the browning where the stem meets the leaf means? Too much fertilizer? Too much water?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

hc mcdole
8 years ago
If indoors, let it dry out some before watering again. If outdoors and it is still hot during the day, I doubt it is too much water (unless it is in a plastic pot and you keep it sopping wet). The fertilizer is probably okay but other experts will probably chime in on that aspect.

Most of mine are outdoors and I usually water every day unless I am away for the weekend. I have only used granular slow release fertilizer so cannot say much about water soluble other than what others say - water weekly weakly or water weakly weekly (HA!)
Danielle N thanked hc mcdole
hc mcdole
8 years ago
taken earlier today
Related Discussions
Angel Wing Begonia browning and withering
Q
Comments (4)
It looks pretty close to death now but it may still be salvageable. First thing is a new pot, one that is a lot smaller like 4 inch if not smaller. Hopefully the roots aren't totally gone. Knock off the majority of the old soil and spray anything else off. Use a quality potting soil. Water in and don't water again until it dries some. Hopefully it will respond with the longer days and warmth. If the roots are gone then you will have to determine if the stem is still viable enough for cutting. From the picture it only looks like the wayward branch is all you have to work with for a cutting and it looks doubtful.
...See More
cause of browning leaves and wilt?
Q
Comments (5)
There's definitely a water-transport issue going on here. Is the soil moist in both the containers and the ground? Yes Grab one of the poorest ones and pull it, then have a look at the roots and lower stem. Look for nubbles along the roots or cankers on the stem. no nubbles or cankers Then take a sharp knife and slice the stem down to the pith right at the soil line. You're looking for brown or black coloration either in the wood or in the pith, hollow stems, or anything else that doesn't look like fresh green healthy plant. all looks green from the inside. The problems appear to go from the outside in. Also check the brown tops. Is it kind of a purplish-brown, or black, or real dirt-brown? Are the new leaves distorted at all? New leaves look absolutely healthy. When I put on my strongest glasses (I have several different pairs from different eye exams over the years) I saw that there appeared to be very tiny holes being made in the leaves that were browning, but not yet crispy. Then I saw tiny, tiny green insects. So would they be the culprets or are they just taking advantage of a sick plant? I feel lousy about this. I usually stand guard over my plants and check them several times every day. But we've had to be out of town a lot these past few months. Thank you for your help.
...See More
Angel Wing Begonia: Leaf edges browning and wilting
Q
Comments (5)
You can cut them to the ground (it should send up new shoots) and root the tops (and middles if you want more). You are not alone. I sprayed mine with a combination fungicide and pesticide after I found a bad leaf. This is the before photo. and after picture (I removed the ugly leaf) I have had this for over 40 years now. My wife brought home a cutting from her workplace when I was in the Navy. I should take better care of it but when you have a few other plants to take care of, then it just isn't warranted. I find Mr. Hunt a lot more exciting to the eye but it also goes up and down like most begonias. PS - these 3 photos are from early February two years ago. It just does so much better outdoors. Sorry I didn't remove the debris off before taking this photo a few years ago.
...See More
Angel wing begonia leaves browning and wilting from the base
Q
Comments (4)
How do the stems look? Leaves come and go as part of the natural progression of things. I often pick off bad looking leaves, sometimes removing them all if they all look horrible. Spray the stems for pathogens (mostly mildew). How does your soil surface look? Whatever you do, do not keep the soil wet. Let it dry somewhat and only water to keep it moist until it starts showing lots of new growth. Move outdoors when warm enough to get some new leaves, stems, and vigor. This is at my mother's house - begonias I have given her over the years. and then some of my own canes from last September These are my own seed grown canes from maculata (foreground and background)
...See More
Danielle N
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I have been letting the top of soil dry out. It was planted in potting soil so I just replanted it in orchid mix. Hope this helps it live through winter.
hc mcdole
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
When you say soil, are you talking about outdoor soil?

Orchid mix may be a bit too porous but try it and see. What's the worst that could happen?

I started a pan of canes in an aluminum tray. It looks like a mix of potting mix and perlite from here. They've been in this same pan for at least a year, probably two.
Danielle N
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Sorry meant to say potting soil. Ug I hope the orchid mix is not too porous; Hopefully the begonia likes it better than previous soil. You have some very nice begonias.

10/29

The plant fainted today so I think the orchid mix is too porous on its own. I mixed it with potting soil about 1/4 potting soil to orchid mix. Now I just need to leave this poor plant alone.

Related Stories

FALL GARDENING 5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden

By Therese Ciesinski

Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees

Full Story

143

DREAM SPACES My Houzz: Winging It in a Scottish Castle

By Cathy Rebecca

Bold decor mixes with turrets and open fires to create a home that’s grand yet welcoming

Full Story

197

HOUSEPLANTS Play Up Some Fiddleleaf Figs for a Lively Indoor Tune

By creative jewish mom.com

Strike a dramatic chord in a minimalist scene or a country note in a rustic setting — fiddleleaf fig plants harmonize with any style

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Got Frost-Damaged Plants? How It Happens, and When and How to Prune

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Crispy brown leaves are a sure sign that Jack Frost has been to your neighborhood

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Meet the Grass-Carrying Wasp, a Gentle Pollinator of Summer Flowers

By Pollination Press LLC

These fascinating insects nest in wood cavities and hollow plant stems

Full Story

HOUZZ TV Houzz TV: A Most Unusual Indoor-Outdoor Connection

By Annie Thornton

A giant California Sycamore grows through this dream house in the hills of Los Angeles

Full Story

TROPICAL STYLE Easy Decorating: Turn Over a New, Tropical Leaf

By creative jewish mom.com

Toss a palm frond in a vase or gather a whole bouquet — fresh or preserved tropical leaves bring on the exotic with almost no effort

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Mix Metal Finishes in the Kitchen

By Rachel Grace

Leave matchy-matchy to the catalogs and let your kitchen's personality shine with a mix of metals for hardware and fixtures

Full Story

FALL GARDENING Houzz Call: Show Us Your Fall Color!

By Annie Thornton

Post pictures of your fall landscape — plants, leaves, wildlife — in the Comments section. Your photo could appear in an upcoming article

Full Story

429

PLANTING IDEAS Great Garden Combo: Rose + Clematis for Small-Space Impact

By Le jardinet

We all need somebody to lean on. And when a rose supports a climbing vine, the results can totally transform a small garden

Full Story

Some of my angel wings leaves are brown and wilted by stem

Comments (5)

hc mcdole

hc mcdole

Related Discussions

Danielle N
Original Author

hc mcdole

Danielle N
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Some of my angel wings leaves are brown and wilted by stem

Comments (5)

hc mcdole

hc mcdole

Related Discussions

Danielle NOriginal Author

hc mcdole

Danielle NOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Danielle N
Original Author

Danielle N
Original Author